Straight bar knitting machine



y 1938. H. w. START ET AL 2,123,368

STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed March 10 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jul 19, 1938.

H. W. START ET AL STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE Filed March 10, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 19, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STRAIGHT BAR KNITTING MACHINE Application March 10,

1937, Serial No. 130,194

In Great Britain March 12, 1936 6 Claims.

This invention relates to straight-bar knitting machines such as those known as Cottons, and it refers to improved means for drawing loops which are longer than the normal loops, at those parts of a garment where one or more reinforcing or stouter threads are introduced, or where slack courses are required.

In the type of knitting machine referred to, the desired result is attained by adjusting the needle bar closer to the sinkers when sinking the loops on those needles to which a reinforcing or stouter thread is supplied, and adjusting it in its normal position when sinking the loops on the remaining needles. The longer loops it will be understood are formed in both the ground and reinforcing threads. This adjustment must in some cases. take place twice every course in which a reinforcing thread is introduced and is effected by bringing an extra cam into action, which is adapted to give the needle bar the extra inward movement only at such times as it is required when drawing each course.

The same adjustment of the needle bar must take place when drawing a slack course, but the amplitude of the inward movement in this case is increased.

As reinforcing o-r stouter threads are introduced at dilferent parts of a garment in the process of manufacture, the timing of the additional movements of the needle bar have tobe changed accordingly, and this is effected by providing a series: of cams for this particular purpose that can be brought into action in succession, each of which is shaped to effect the additional inward movements of the needle bar at the proper time when drawing each course, according to the disposition of the part or parts in the garment in which the reinforcing or stouter thread is introduced.

The putting of each of these cams into action at the proper time is in most cases manually effected by the workman, and the object of this invention is to provide improved automatic means for effecting the necessary changes at the required interval in the course of knitting a complete garment, so that no attention is required from the workman and mistakes cannot be made.

According to this. invention, the cam levers associated with the extra'cams referred to are mounted loosely on a control shaft between the two bosses of a frame which is secured on the shaft, and the cam levers are connected to the frame in succession by means of a cam drum which'is mounted in the frame and is fitted with cam lifts which are adapted to engage with "the outer ends of and connect the cam levers to the frame in the required order. This is effected by advancing the drum at the required intervals, and is an operation which is effected by ratchet and pawl mechanism controlled by the usual machine controlling mechanism.

In some cases, single cam levers. are connected to the same control shaft by a corresponding arrangement, and the cam drums in the respective frames are coupled together, so that they are all advanced simultaneously by the same ratchet and pawl mechanism.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical cross section, and

Fig. 2 a front view of the cam mechanism which effects the drawing of longer loops as is required in certain parts of a garment.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the cam mechanism showing the arrangement for advancing the cam 'clrum.

Fig. 4 is a section of the machine showing the ordinary needle bar actuating cam mechanism and its connection with the control shaft associated with the extra cam mechanism.

Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

In carrying out this invention, (see Figs. 1 to 3) the three extra cams A which are normally emplayed for the purpose described, are disposed side by side on the main cam shaft B, and the cam levers 0 associated with these three cams A, are disposed side by side on a control shaft D which is disposed in hearings in front of the .machine. In connection with these cam levers C, is a frame E whichis mounted on the same shaft D as the levers, and this frame E is secured to the shaft D, whilst the cam. levers C are mounted loosely thereon between the bosses .E of the frame E.

Mounted in bearings. in the lower part E of the frame E parallel to the control shaftD, is a cam drum F on which cam lifts F are distributed, and the outer ends of the cam levers C,:-or-tappet screws C provided therein are disposed so that they can be engaged by the cam lifts F disposed on the drum F. The-cam levers C described it will be understood, are out of action until such l times as a cam lift F on the drum .F engages 'vrith'the tappet screw C in the outer endofone of the levers C which is then connected to the [frame E, when '.the movement "imparte'd'to that lever C 'by its cam A-will'inconsequence betransmitted by the frame E to the control shaft D on which the said levers and frame are disposed.

The cam lifts F on the drum F can thus be so arranged that by advancing the latter at the required intervals, each of the cam levers C can be connected in turn to the frame E which is secured to the control shaft D, and the movements obtained from each cam A can thus be transmitted to the said shaft D at the proper time. These cams A however only position the needle bar during the drawing of a course and are inoperative when the loops on the needles are being knitted and pressed off.

The lower ends of the tappet screws C are engaged by the cam lifts F on the drum F when the latter is advanced, and these tappet screws C provide very convenient means for adjusting the amount of movement which is imparted to the needle bar by each of the extra cams A, and the consequent length of the loops which are drawn on the needles when each of the cams A is brought into action.

As shown in the drawings, the middle cam lever C is fitted with three tappet screws C and these tappet screws are engaged by three sets of cam lifts F which are disposed at different points in the length of the drum F so that this middle lever C is adapted to adjust the needle bar in three different positions. The middle one of the three tappet screws C is geared to another idle screw C in order to provide convenient means for adjusting it.

The cam drum F is secured on a shaft F which is mounted in bearings in the lower ends E of the frame E, and it is advanced at intervals by means of a ratchet wheel G which is secured on the shaft F and a pawl G which is carried on one end of a cam lever G which is loosely mounted on the control shaft D and. is actuated by a cam G on the cam shaft B. The antifriction roller G which is provided on this lever G for the cam to act upon is connected by a forked arm H to a control rod H, which is adapted to move the roller G in and out of the path of the cam G and thus control the action of the pawl G and the advancing movements imparted to the drum F.

The cam levers C are connected to the frame E by means of springs E and these springs are adapted to return the levers C up to adjustable tappet screws E on the frame E, when they are released from the lifts F on the barrel F. The middle tappet screw E is set so that when the middle lever C bears upon it, the needle bar will be adjusted by the middle cam to draw loops of normal length.

The control shaft D on which the cam levers C and the frame E are disposed, is fitted as shown in Fig. 4 with an arm J which is adapted to engage with an arm J 1 on the ordinary needle bar rocking shaft J and the extra movements obtained from any of the extra cams A described, are thus transmitted to the needle bar J When provision has to be made for reinforcing areas which vary in width, such for example as the production of a pointed heel splice in a hose, as is well known in the art, this necessitates the use of either a long split cam with segments graduated in shape at different parts of their length with provision for bringing different parts of the segments into operative position, or of a cam with two segments which are adjustable relatively to each other as shown in the U. S. Patent, No. 1,730,054. This cam and its lever cannot be arranged close to those already described, but

necessitates a duplicate arrangement which is similar to and has its cam drum N connected to drum F in the frame E.

The cam lever K employed in connection with this special cam L is mounted loosely on the same control shaft D as the other cam levers, and the frame M which is associated with this lever K is secured to the said shaft B. This frame M has a cam drum N mounted therein with one or more cam projections N thereon to engage with tappet screws in the outer end of the cam lever K, and this arrangement provides as in the previously described arrangement, means for connecting the cam lever K to and disconnecting it from the frame M and control shaft D.

The cam drum N in this frame M is coupled to or mounted on an extension of the drum shaft F of the drum F and it is thus advanced at the same time as cam drum F previously described, so that the cam L associated with this cam lever K and frame M, is brought into action in the same manner as the other cams, at the required intervals in the course of knitting a garment. The movements obtained from this cam L are therefore first transmitted to the control shaft D, and from the latter to the needle bar, by the hereinbefore described connection between the said shaft D and the needle bar rocking shaft J As shown in the drawings, the outer end of the cam lever K is provided with two adjustable tappet screws K for the two series of cam lifts N which are provided on the drum N to engage with, and this lever K is therefore adapted to adjust the needle bar in two positions. It will of course be understood that only one of the four cam levers described is connected to the control shaft D at a time.

With the arrangement described, all changes which are necessary when knitting a garment in which variations in the length of the loops knitted at different parts have to be made from time to time, are automatically effected without any attention from the workman, and all risk of such changes not being at the proper time is not only obviated, but time is saved as the changes are made without stopping the machine. The three cams A will in knitting a hose for example with the arrangement described, automatically give the required normal length of loop, the length of loop for the welt, that for the toe and that for slack courses where required, and the cam L on the other hand will give the correct length of loop for a high graduated splice, and also for the foot sole.

Secured on the control shaft D is a cam lever O which is actuated by a cam O on the main shaft B. The antifriction roller on this lever is connected by a forked arm 0 to the control rod I-I previously described, and the roller 0 which is normally clear of its cam, is moved into the path of the latter at the same time as the antifriction roller G on the pawl lever G is moved into the path of its cam G This lever O is therefore only actuated at the same time as the pawl lever G and its ofiice is to turn the control shaft D and relieve the pressure on the cam drums F and N when they are being advanced by the ratchet wheel G and pawl G It also adjusts the ratchet wheel G in the same position every time it is advanced by the pawl G and at the same time puts all the three cam levers C and the cam lever K out of action, when knitting the loops which have been previously drawn on the needles.

What we claim as our invention is:-

1. In a straight bar knitting machine, the combination of a cam, a cam lever one end of which is actuated by the cam, a control shaft on which the cam lever is loosely mounted, a frame secured on the control shaft, a rotating drum mounted in the frame with cam lifts which are adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with the other end of the cam lever in order to connect the said lever to and disconnect it from the frame and control shaft at the required intervals, means for advancing the cam drum, a needle bar, and means for connecting the control shaft to the needle bar, substantially as described.

2. In a straight bar knitting machine, the combination of a series of cams, cam levers actuated by the cams, a control shaft on which the cam levers are loosely mounted, a frame secured on the control shaft, a rotating drum mounted in the frame provided with cam lifts which are adapted to engage with the ends of and connect any of the cam levers to the frame and control shaft, means for advancing the cam drum, a needle bar, and means for connecting the control shaft to the needle bar, substantially as described.

3. In a straight bar knitting machine, the combination of a series of cams, cam levers actuated by the cams, a control shaft on which the levers are loosely mounted, a frame secured on the control shaft, a rotating drum mounted in the frame provided with lifts which are adapted to engage with the ends of and connect any of the levers to the frame and control shaft, means for advancing the cam drum comprising a ratchet wheel on the drum and a pawl carried by a lever which is mounted on the control shaft and is actuated by a cam on the main cam shaft, .a needle bar, and means for connecting the control shaft to the needle bar, substantially as described.

4. In a straight bar knitting machine, the combination of a series of cams, cam levers actuated by the cams, adjustable tappet screws on the outer ends of the cam levers, a control shaft on which the levers are loosely mounted, a frame secured on the control shaft, a rotating drum mounted in the frame provided with lifts which are adapted to engage with the tappet screws on the ends of and connect any of the levers to the frame and control shaft, means for advancing the cam drum comprising a ratchet wheel on the drum and a pawl carried by a lever which is mounted on the control shaft, a cam on the main cam shaft for .actuating the pawl lever, a needle bar, and means for connecting the control shaft to the latter, comprising an arm on the control shaft, and an arm on the needle bar rocking shaft for the control shaft arm to engage with, substantially as described.

5. In a straight bar knitting machine, the combination of a series of cams, cam levers actuated by the cams, a control shaft on which the levers are loosely mounted, a frame secured on the control shaft, a rotating drum mounted in the frame provided with lifts which are adapted to engage with the ends of and connect any of the levers to the frame and control shaft, means for advancing the cam drum comprising a ratchet wheel on the drum and a pawl carried by a lever which is mounted on the control shaft, a cam on the main cam shaft for actuating the pawl lever, an antifriction on the latter which can be moved on and off the cam, means for connecting this roller to the main machine controlling mechanism, a needle bar, and means for connecting the control shaft to the needle bar, substantially as described.

6. In a straight bar knitting machine, the combination of a series of cams, cam levers actuated by the cams, adjustable tappet screws on the outer ends of the cam levers, a control shaft on which the levers are loosely mounted, a frame secured on the control shaft, a rotating drum mounted in the frame provided with lifts which are adapted to engage with the tappet screws on the ends of and connect any of the levers to the frame and control shaft, a tappet screw in the frame for one lever in the frame to engage with when the levers are released from the frame by the cam drum, means for advancing the cam drum comprising a ratchet Wheel on the drum and a pawl carried by a lever which is mounted on the control shaft, a cam on the main cam shaft for actuating the cam lever, a needle bar and means for connecting the control shaft to the latter, substantially as described.

HARRY WILFRED START. ERNEST START. 

